Preacher Zola Levitt dies

Jewish Christian preacher Zola Levitt died today after battling cancer, according to his ministry website.

Levitt, known for the tagline, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem,” had a television program seen on several Christian networks, “Zola Levitt Presents.”

He died at home in Dallas, where he led the non-profit Zola Levitt Ministries, Inc.

Levitt was diagnosed with cancer Feb. 10, which had spread from his left lung to his liver and brain, according to his son, Mark Levitt, who posted updates on the ministry website.

Mark Levitt said in a recent post that that in response to the illness, his father was “doubling his efforts to produce extra TV programs and create more informative and outspoken newsletters than ever.”

“What a soldier’s testimonial – to stay at his post until called away by Yeshua! Happy is the man whose work is his play,” Mark Levitt wrote.

Author and columnist Hal Lindsey said he was “greatly grieved that a great defender of Israel has laid down his sword.”

Continued Lindsey: “Zola has been a friend of mine since our days together at Dallas Theological Seminary, several decades ago. I rejoice that he suffers no more, but grieve for his family.”

Responding to today’s news, a follower of Levitt’s ministry wrote: “I praise the Lord for the life He granted to Zola; for Zola’s willingness to be used by God in great ways; for the thousands of lives he touched through his ministry and music; and for the grace and peace of knowing that Zola’s reward can be ours, too, someday.”